P.K. Singh, et al.
Bioorganic&MedicinalChemistryLettersxxx(xxxx)xxx–xxx
Hence, following our previous work,13 we focussed on designing
molecules which may inhibit c-MET and secondary acquired mutant
EGFR (L858R/T790M) reversibly. Focus was laid on the fact that sen-
sitivity towards inhibitors is not lost in EGFR (L858R/T790M) rather
the affinity towards ATP increases. Thus, special attention was given to
the fact that molecules having hydrophobic interaction with mutant
residue M790 provide selectivity to the molecules and also enhance the
binding affinity towards EGFR (L858R/T790M). Thus we attempted to
design molecules with higher affinity towards EGFR (L858R/T790M)
along with c-MET using in-silico techniques.
In continuation to the previous in-silico study by our group to
identify reversible dual/multi inhibitor of EGFR (L858R/T790M) and
cMET, out of previously reported 11 hits identified for putative EGFR
(L858R/T790M) and cMET inhibitory potential, triazolo-pyrimidone
(BAS 09867482) was selected for further study. Several analogues of
this lead molecule were sketched and docked in the PDBs of both the
target kinases. Derivatives maintaining the key interactions in both the
targets, such as hydrogen bond interactions with Met793 and Lys745 in
EGFR (L858R/T790M) and, with Met1160 and Tyr1230 in cMET, were
selected and subjected to molecular dynamic simulations for the time
period of 30 ns and calculation of MM-GBSA score (binding energies).
All the compounds showed good docking scores (−CDOCKER energy)
in both the kinases; ranging from 28.74–12.19 within the EGFR
(L858R/T790M) protein and 21.41–12.64 in cMET.
Fig. 1. RMSD plot of 14c in complex with EGFR (L858R/T790M) for the time
period of 30 ns.
Molecular dynamic simulations in EGFR (L858R/T790M) revealed
that carbonyl group in the pyrimidone nucleus of the designed com-
pounds act as acceptor group and interacts via hydrogen bond with
Met793, similarly in few compounds nitrogen of the triazole ring acts as
a hydrogen bond acceptor for Met793. While, eNH in the pyrimidone
nucleus acts as hydrogen bond donor and interacts with hinge region
amino acids including Met793, Lys745 and Glu762. While, in c-MET,
key interactions included hydrogen bond interaction between carbonyl
of the pyrimidone and nitrogen of the triazole ring with residues such as
Met1160 and Lys1232. Additionally, π-π stacking between fused tria-
zolopyrimidone and Tyr1159, and other residues were also observed. A
key fact considered during screening via molecular dynamic simula-
tions was the hydrophobic interaction of the designed molecules with
mutated gate keeper residue, M790 which is essential for the selectivity
and potency of molecules against double mutant EGFR (L858R/
T790M). Osimertinib, recently reported EGFR (L858R/T790M) in-
hibitor, was based on the expectation that molecules with hydrophobic
interaction with the mutant M790 gatekeeper residue could result in
potent and selective inhibitors.7 Thus molecules (ten) which were
maintaining varied levels of hydrophobic interaction with mutated gate
keeper residue, M790 in EGFR (L858R/T790M) were selected for
synthesis and biological evaluations. Additionally, the RMSD values of
the protein backbone atoms in complex with top compounds (14c and
14d), revealed complexes to be very stable in cases of EGFR (L858R/
T790M) as shown in the graphs of the same plotted against time (Figs. 1
Fig. 2. RMSD plot of 14d in complex with EGFR (L858R/T790M) for the time
period of 30 ns.
with ethyl acetoacetate in acetic acid as solvent under reflux, to afford
final compounds. The obtained compounds were purified via re-
crystallization. All the compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR
and 13C NMR. In IR spectrum, the triazolo-pyrimidone derivatives
showed the presence of strong absorption bands of C]O ∼1680 and
C]N from ∼1650 to ∼1560 cm−1. The synthesis of final compounds
were confirmed in 1H NMR. Almost each spectrum showed presence of
singlet of one proton at ∼5.7 ppm, present in pyrimidone nucleus. Rest
of the aromatic protons were observed in similar pattern from ∼7.0 to
∼8.4 ppm. A singlet of two proton at ∼4.5 ppm was also observed in
each compound for eCH2 of the benzyl groups. 13C spectrum exhibited
characteristic peak at ∼163 ppm for pyrimidone. Rest of the aromatic
carbons were observed from 120 to 134 ppm with a characteristic peak
at 98 ppm for C-6 carbon. Similarly, mass spectrometry also showed
quasi ion peaks at expected m/z values.
The 3D interaction diagram of the best designed molecules 14c in
derivatives selected for further study. In EGFR (L858R/T790M), the
binding affinity determined via MM-GBSA score correlated positively
with the degree of hydrophobic interactions of the derivatives with
M790, ranging from −72.857 to −59.723 Kcal/mol. While in cMET,
almost all the derivatives were found to possess significant and con-
sistent binding affinity ranging from −93.323 to −63.997 Kcal/mol
treating with variedly substituted benzyl chlorides in the presence
K2CO3 using acetone as solvent to yield different benzylated 5-amino-
1,2,4-triazole-3-thiols. In the next step, cyclization of the obtained
benzylated 5-amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiols was performed, by reacting
For the in vitro evaluation of kinase inhibitory potential of the
synthesized compounds, enzymatic assay against EGFR (L858R/
T790M) and cMET was performed, additionally evaluation against
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